U.S. patent application number 13/297871 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-16 for floating flapper valve.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alcoa Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Michael D. Mitchell. Invention is credited to Michael D. Mitchell.
Application Number | 20130118101 13/297871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48279311 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130118101 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitchell; Michael D. |
May 16, 2013 |
FLOATING FLAPPER VALVE
Abstract
An apparatus for increasing the insulation value of a window
system with a weep hole includes a flapper valve with a buoyant
flap articulating relative to a non-moving portion. The flap is
positioned on the window frame over the weep hole proximate the
inside of the structure in which the window system is installed and
the non-moving portion is attached to the window frame. The flap
may be held against the frame around the weep hole by gravity
and/or by the elastic memory of a portion of the flap, such as a
plastic hinge. The flapper valve is closed when dry to diminish the
flow of ex-filtration through the weep hole, but opens in response
to being flooded with water due to the buoyancy of the flap,
opening the weep hole and allowing the water to drain.
Inventors: |
Mitchell; Michael D.;
(Woodstock, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitchell; Michael D. |
Woodstock |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Alcoa Inc.
Pittsburgh
PA
|
Family ID: |
48279311 |
Appl. No.: |
13/297871 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/209 ;
52/741.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 7/14 20130101; B33Y
80/00 20141201 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/209 ;
52/741.4 |
International
Class: |
E06B 7/14 20060101
E06B007/14; E04B 1/66 20060101 E04B001/66 |
Claims
1. A weep hole valve for a structure, comprising: a
non-articulating portion securable to the structure proximate the
weep hole; an articulating portion secured to the non-articulating
portion and articulatable relative to the non-articulating portion
between a closed position at least partially covering and at least
partially obstructing a flow of air through the weep hole and an
open position, permitting a flow of water through the weep hole,
the articulating portion having buoyancy in water and floating in
response to at least partial submersion in water to transition from
the closed position to the open position.
2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the articulating portion is
secured to the non-articulating portion by a flexible portion, the
articulating portion being biased toward the closed position by the
flexible portion and the buoyancy of the articulating portion
overcoming the biasing of the flexible portion to transition from
the closed position to the open position in response to partial or
complete submersion in water.
3. The valve of claim 1, wherein the articulating portion is biased
towards the closed position at least partially due to the effect of
gravity, the buoyancy of the articulating portion counteracting the
weight of the articulating portion to open the valve when exposed
to at least partial submersion in water.
4. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve permits passage of some
water when in the closed position, but the passage of water is less
than in the open position.
5. The valve of claim 4, wherein the passage of water when in the
closed position is at least partially attributable to capillary
action.
6. The valve of claim 1, wherein the structure is interposed
between a first environment and a second environment and wherein a
flow of air from the first environment to the second environment
tends to open the valve and a flow of air from the second
environment to the first tends to close the valve.
7. The valve of claim 6, wherein the first environment is the
out-of-doors and the second environment is an in-door space
interior to a building, such that the valve curtails the
exfiltration of air from the building.
8. The valve of claim 7, wherein the structure includes a window
system and the weep hole is in the window system.
9. The valve of claim 6, wherein the structure includes a window
system with a first weather barrier proximate the first environment
and a second weather barrier proximate the second environment, with
an intermediate space between the first and second weather barriers
capable of at least temporarily supporting a pressure differential
between the intermediate space and the second environment, the
valve functioning as a one way valve admitting infiltrating air
from the first environment until the pressure within the
intermediate space approximately equals or exceeds the first
environment.
10. The valve of claim 3, wherein the weep hole is in a surface of
the structure that is plumb and the articulating portion hangs
beside the surface and over the weep hole.
11. The valve of claim 3, wherein the weep hole is in a surface of
the structure that is perpendicular to plumb and the articulating
portion is positioned on top of the surface over the weep hole.
12. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve is made from a
low-durometer polymer.
13. The valve of claim 1, wherein the articulating portion has a
float.
14. The valve of claim 13, wherein the articulating portion has a
thin film to which the float is attached.
15. The valve of claim 13, wherein the float has an internal
hollow.
16. The valve of claim 2, wherein the articulating portion has a
cupped portion distal to the flexible portion, the cupped portion
having a peripheral rim which contacts a surface of the structure
at least partially surrounding the weep hole when in the closed
state.
17. The valve of claim 1, wherein the articulating portion has a
relief on a peripheral surface thereof, the relief allowing the
valve to clear an adjacent structure when the valve transitions
between the open position and the closed position.
18. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve has a peripheral shape
when viewed from above of at least one of circular, triangular,
oblong, ovoid, rectangular and pentagonal.
19. The valve of claim 1, wherein the weep hole is elongated and
the valve is dimensioned to cover the weep hole.
20. A method for increasing the insulation value of a structure
with a weep hole while preserving a water weeping function of the
weep hole, the structure defining an interior space and an exterior
space relative there to, comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a
flap valve with a moveable buoyant flap b. attaching the flap valve
to the structure on a surface proximate to the interior space and
proximate to the weep hole, such that the flap covers the weep hole
in a rest position, the flap at least partially obstructing the
weep hole and curtailing a flow of ex-filtrating air through the
weep hole when in the rest position and floating to a more open
position when at least partially submerged in water to allow water
to exit the weep hole.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to fenestration systems such
as curtain walls, sliding doors and windows, window frames and
window assemblies, and more particularly, to weep holes in afore
mentioned window frames that allow moisture that penetrates the
window assembly to be discharged to the environment.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Windows of various types are subject to air and water
intrusion. In the case of water intrusion, window systems typically
incorporate a drainage system, which includes one or more weep
holes to allow the water to escape to prevent damage, such as
corrosion, mold, deterioration of window seals, etc. While weep
holes perform a beneficial drainage function, they can also allow
air and energy infiltration and ex-filtration past the window
system and consequent energy inefficiency, e.g., due to the gain or
loss of heat into a building in which the window system is
installed. Improvements in window systems remain desirable.
SUMMARY
[0003] The disclosed subject matter overcomes the disadvantages and
shortcomings of the prior art by providing a valve for effecting
the flow of air through a weep hole in a window or building
structure. The valve features a non-articulating portion securable
to the structure proximate the weep hole and an articulating
portion secured to the non-articulating portion. The articulating
portion articulates relative to the non-articulating portion and
the structure, between a closed position covering and at least
partially obstructing flow of air through the weep hole and an open
position, permitting the flow of water through the weep hole. The
articulating portion is buoyant in water and floats in response to
partial or complete submersion in water to transition from the
closed position to the open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of
exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flapper valve in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a top view of the flapper valve of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side view of the flapper valve of FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a window system in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure having
a flapper valve and in a dry state.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the window system of FIG. 4
in a wet state.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a window system having a
flapper valve in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0011] FIGS. 7-40 show multiple embodiments of flapper valves in
accordance with the present disclosure, with the odd numbered
figures, e.g., FIG. 7, being plan views and the next succeeding
even-numbered figure, e.g., FIG. 8, being a cross-sectional view of
the preceding figure, e.g., FIG. 7, taken along the section line
indicated, e.g., section line 8-8, and looking in the direction of
the arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0012] FIGS. 1-3 show a flapper valve 10. The flapper valve 10 may
be positioned proximate a surface S, such as a surface within a
window frame, having a weep hole or slot 12 therein, to cover the
weep hole 12. The flapper valve 10 has a pair of end portions 14,
16 which may be used to affix the flapper valve 10 to the surface
S, such that a movable flap portion 18 of the flapper valve 10
covers the slot 12 and the bottom surface 19 thereof makes contact
with the surface S circumscribing the weep hole 12. Weep holes may
have a variety of shapes, including circular, square, oblong or
rectangular or may be an elongated slot. For the purposes of this
disclosure, the term "weep hole" will encompass a weep hole having
any shape. The end portions 14, 16 may be attached to the surface,
e.g., by mechanical means, screws, rivets, an overlying plate,
adhesive, etc. (not shown). The flapper valve 10, may be formed,
e.g., by injection molding, cast, film assembly, 3D printing, blow
molding, extrusion, thermoforming, autoclaving, hot pressing, or
pultrusion of a flexible material, such as, low durometer EPDM
rubber, silicones, thin vellum film, polyethylene, polyvinyl
chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate,
polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene, polyimide, polyamide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide,
PolyTetraFluoroEthylene, Polyether Imide, PolyEtherEther-Ketone,
polyaryletherketone, or polyester. The flap portion 18 may be
provided with a float portion 20, which may be integral there with
or attached via an adhesive, thermal bonding, mechanical
interlocking, e.g., via snaps, screws or rivets, or the like. The
flap portion 18 is attached to an edge portion 22 by plastic hinges
24, 26, which are delimited by slots 28, 30, 32. The specific
gravity of at least the float portion 20 or, optionally, the flap
portion 18 or, optionally, the entire flapper valve 10, is less
than water. If the float portion 20 is formed from materials with a
specific gravity greater than one, it may be formed into a
structure that is equal to the weight of the volume of water which
is displaced by that structure, e.g., the float 20 may be hollow
and/or have an air inclusion(s). When the flapper valve 10 is
secured to a surface, such as surface S, i.e., at the end portions
14, 16 and/or the edge portion 22, and partially or fully submerged
in water, the float portion 20 and, due to attachment to the float
portion 20 and/or to the specific gravity of the flap portion 18,
the flap portion 18 will be urged upward by buoyancy in water,
pivoting on plastic hinges 24, 26. The float portion 20 is
dimensioned to provide adequate buoyancy to overcome its weight,
the weight of the flap portion 18, and the elastic resistance of
the plastic hinges 24, 26 to lift the flap portion 18 away from its
rest position over the weep hole 12 when it is submerged wholly or
partially in water, allowing the water to drain through the weep
hole 12.
[0013] FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows the operation of a flapper
valve 34 in accordance with the present disclosure when installed
in a window system 36. Note that flapper valve 34 has a different
shape than flapper valve 10 described above and depicted in FIGS.
1-3. Notwithstanding, flapper valve 34 operates similarly to
flapper valve 10, as will be described more fully below in
reference to FIGS. 7-10. The window system 36 has a first weather
barrier 38 diagrammatically depicted in dotted lines, which may
represent one or more window layers, which may have intervening air
or inert gas layers, mounted in a sash. The first weather barrier
38 may be movable or stationary relative to a window frame 40. A
second weather barrier 42, like an inside window, is depicted
diagrammatically in dotted lines and may also be provided to form a
more weather-impenetrable window system 36. The second weather
barrier 42 may be moveable or stationary. The window frame 40
includes a bottom sill 44 and cooperates with the first weather
barrier 38 and the second weather barrier 42 to selectively exclude
the elements from the structure (not shown) in which it is
installed. The window system 36 is typically intended to prevent
precipitation and intemperate air present on the outside O of a
structure from passing through the window system 36 to the inside I
of the structure. While window systems can be effective in
shielding the inside of a structure from the weather present
outside a structure, it is common for some infiltration to take
place. For example, wind and wind-driven rain may breach
(infiltrate) the interface between the window frame 40 and the
first weather barrier 38, e.g., as shown by arrow I.sub.N. This may
be partially due to a pressure differential between the environment
outside O and the environment inside I and/or to a pressure
differential between the outside O and an intermediate environment
M between the first and second weather barriers 38, 42. For
example, the force of wind directed at the window system 36 may
result in a higher pressure outside O than exists inside I or in
the intermediate environment M. An insufficiency of sealing between
the window frame 40 and the first weather barrier 38 may also
increase the amount of infiltration that occurs. As shown in FIG.
4, the window system 36 may be provided with one or more weep holes
or slots 46, 48, 50, which allow precipitation that breaches the
window system 36 due to infiltration to drain to the outside O.
[0014] Besides allowing infiltration of outside air and
precipitation, window systems also frequently allow ex-filtration
flow represented by arrows E.sub.X in FIG. 4. Ex-filtration
represents the loss of temperate air from inside I the structure or
from the intermediate space M, e.g., air that has achieved a
comfortable temperature level through heating or cooling by HVAC
systems in a structure. Ex-filtration may be increased as a result
of a pressure differential between the outside O and the inside I
and/or the intermediate space M. For example, if the window system
36 is installed on the leeward side of a building (as defined by a
given wind), a lower pressure may develop on the outside O relative
to the inside I of the structure and/or the intermediate space M. A
low pressure condition on the outside O of the window system 36
will tend to draw air from the inside I or the intermediate space M
to the outside O. The withdrawal of temperate air from the inside
of a building induces the entry of intemperate air to replace it,
e.g., via other entry points of outside air, such as other doors,
vents and windows in the building. Ex-filtration can occur, in
part, by air passing from the inside I or intermediate space M to
the outside O via weep holes/slots, e.g., 46, 48, 50 in FIG. 4. In
accordance with the present disclosure, one or more of the weep
holes/slots 46, 48, 50 are covered by a flapper valve 34 when the
flapper valve 34 is in a rest/closed (dry) condition. In the dry
condition, the flapper valve 34 would close and act as a barrier to
ex-filtration E.sub.x, which would otherwise occur if the flapper
valve 34 were not present, as shown by arrows E.sub.X. More
particularly, FIG. 4 illustrates the ex-filtration flows E.sub.x
that would be present if the flapper valve 34 was open or was not
there. The presence of the flapper valve 34 in the closed position
would significantly curtail or stop the ex-filtration flows E.sub.X
shown. The flapper valve 34 may therefore prevent the loss of
climate-controlled air from inside I a structure or from the
intermediate area M, through the weep hole 46, to the outside O. In
addition to curtailing ex-filtration, assuming the existence of a
second weather barrier 42 defining an intermediate space M, the
presence of the flapper valve 34 tends to maintain pressure within
the intermediate space M to limit infiltration I.sub.N. More
particularly, wind/air may infiltrate as shown at I.sub.N, but once
the intermediate space M is pressurized by the wind, further
infiltration and ex-filtration of the infiltrated air is curtailed
by the closed flapper valve 34, which blocks the weep hole 46,
curtailing the pressurized air from leaving the intermediate space
M and curtailing additional infiltrating air from entering the
space M. Similarly, infiltration can occur through a reverse flow
(from outside O to intermediate space M) through the weep holes 48,
50, 46 (with the infiltrating air opening the flapper valve 34),
but the flapper valve 34 will act as a one way valve, letting
pressurized air into space M, but closing and curtailing or
preventing ex-filtration through the flapper valve 34 to the
outside. Optionally, a second flapper valve 34' (shown in dotted
lines) may be attached on a surface exterior to the intermediate
space M to the cover the weep hole 46 when dry, to inhibit
infiltration through the weep hole 46.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the flapper valve 34
under conditions resulting from the infiltration of precipitation P
into the intermediate space M and onto sill 44, i.e., as a result
of penetrating the interface between the window frame 40 and the
first weather barrier 38. In the event of the infiltration of
precipitation, the precipitation P collects around the flapper
valve 34, causing the valve to open due to the buoyancy of the flap
portion 70 (see FIGS. 7-10 and description below), allowing the
precipitation P to drain thorough weep hole 46 into the interior of
the window frame 40 and from there, through weep holes/slots 48, 50
to the outside O.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a window system 52 with a frame 54. A
double-pane glass unit 56 is held within the frame 54 between
gaskets 58, 60, 62. A weep hole 64 is covered when in the dry state
by a flapper valve 66. In the event that precipitation (or
atmospheric moisture that condenses) penetrates the interface
between the gasket 60 and the glass unit 56, the flapper valve 66
can pivot to position 66W, due to buoyancy, when fully or partially
submerged in the moisture, to allow the moisture to drain through
weep hole 64. A second weep hole 68 in the frame 54 allows the
moisture to drain from the frame 54. The glass unit 56 is oriented
approximately parallel to the gravitational force G, and the
flapper valve is attached to the frame 54 above the weep hole 64
and depends down over the hole 64 when in a dry condition to
prevent ex-filtration as in the embodiment of the present
disclosure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and described above. In FIGS. 4
and 5, the flapper valve 34 is disposed over a weep hole 46 in a
surface which is about perpendicular to the force of gravity. As
can be understood from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6,
the surface through which the weep hole, e.g., 46, 64 penetrates
can be oriented at a variety of angles relative to the
gravitational force (plumb). By implication, a flapper valve, e.g.,
34, 66 in accordance with the present disclosure may be oriented at
a variety of angles relative to plumb to cover an associated weep
hole, e.g., 46, 64 in a given surface having a given orientation
relative to plumb. In instances where the flapper valve, e.g., 66
operates in close proximity to a structure, such as frame 54 in
FIG. 6, the flapper valve 66 may incorporate a flat, like flat 227
of the flapper valve 218 shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, to allow it to
clear the structure, i.e., when transitioning between the open and
closed positions.
[0017] FIGS. 7-10 illustrate the flapper valve 34 shown in FIGS. 4
and 5, which includes a flap portion 70, which is generally hollow
in cross-section and defines a peripheral lip 72 on three sides
thereof. The flap portion 70 is attached to non-moving portions 74,
76, 78 by plastic hinges 80, 82 as delimited by slots 84, 86, 88.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show the flapper valve 34 in the closed state, which
would correspond to the dry condition. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the
flapper valve 34 in the open state, which would correspond to the
wet condition, wherein the flap portion 70 would be raised by its
buoyancy in water from the surface proximate a weep hole, e.g., 46
of FIGS. 4 and 5, which it would cover in the dry state, the
buoyant lifting action allowing drainage to occur. Note that in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-10, the flap portion 70 may be formed
from a buoyant material, such as, low durometer EPDM rubber or
silicones, thin vellum film, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride,
polypropylene, polyethylene terephtalate, polymethylmethacrylate,
polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyimide,
polyamide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide, PolyTetraFluoroEthylene,
Polyether Imide, PolyEtherEther-Ketone, polyaryletherketone, or
polyester that may be cast, film assembled, 3D printed, blow
molded, extruded, thermoformed, autoclaved, hot pressed, or formed
by pultrusion.
[0018] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a flapper valve 90 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion 92
has a stepped internal hollow 94 and an approximately triangular
shape when viewed from the top. The flap portion 92 is connected to
a non-moving portion 96 by a pair of plastic hinges 98, 100. The
non-moving portion 96 would be adhered or otherwise affixed near a
weep hole 46.
[0019] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a flapper valve 102 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
104 is solid and an approximately triangular shape when viewed from
the top. The flap portion 104 is connected to a non-moving portion
106 by a pair of plastic hinges 108, 110.
[0020] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a flapper valve 112 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
114 has an internal hollow 116 and an approximately pentagonal
shape when viewed from the top. The flap portion 114 is connected
to a non-moving portion 118 by a pair of plastic hinges 120,
122.
[0021] FIGS. 17 and 18 show a flapper valve 124 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
126 is solid and has an approximately pentagonal shape when viewed
from the top. The flap portion 126 is connected to a non-moving
portion 128 by a pair of plastic hinges 130, 132.
[0022] FIGS. 19 and 20 show a flapper valve 134 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
136 has an internal hollow 138 and an approximately pentagonal
shape when viewed from the top. The exterior surface of the flap
portion 136 features facets 140 attributable to edges 142. The flap
portion 136 is connected to a non-moving portion 144 by a pair of
plastic hinges 146, 148.
[0023] FIGS. 21 and 22 show a flapper valve 150 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
152 is solid and has an approximately pentagonal shape with facets
154 like the flapper valve 134 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The flap
portion 152 is connected to a non-moving portion 156 by a pair of
plastic hinges 158, 160.
[0024] FIGS. 23 and 24 show a flapper valve 162 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
164 has an internal, stepped hollow 166 and is approximately ovoid
in shape when viewed from the top. The flap portion 164 is
connected to a non-moving portion 168 by a pair of plastic hinges
170, 172.
[0025] FIGS. 25 and 26 show a flapper valve 174 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
176 is solid and is approximately ovoid in shape when viewed from
the top. The flap portion 176 is connected to a non-moving portion
178 by a pair of plastic hinges 180, 182.
[0026] FIGS. 27 and 28 show a flapper valve 184 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
186 has an internal hollow 188 and an approximately hemispheric
shape. The flap portion 186 is connected to a non-moving portion
190 by a single plastic hinge 192.
[0027] FIGS. 29 and 30 show a flapper valve 194 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
196 is solid and approximately hemispheric in shape. The flap
portion 194 is connected to a non-moving portion 198 by a single
plastic hinge 200.
[0028] FIGS. 31 and 32 show a flapper valve 202 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
204 has an internal hollow 206 and an approximately ovoid shape
when viewed from the top. The flap portion 204 is connected to a
non-moving portion 206 by a single plastic hinge 208.
[0029] FIGS. 33 and 34 show a flapper valve 210 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
212 is solid and approximately ovoid in shape. The flap portion 212
is connected to a non-moving portion 214 by a single plastic hinge
216.
[0030] FIGS. 35 and 36 show a flapper valve 218 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
220 has an internal hollow 222 and an approximately circular shape
when viewed from the top. The flap portion 220 is connected to a
non-moving portion 224 by a single plastic hinge 226. A flat 227
may be formed in the periphery of the flap portion 220 to allow the
flap portion 220 to clear a proximate structure when opening and
closing.
[0031] FIGS. 37 and 38 show a flapper valve 228 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure, which features a thin film
230, e.g., made from vellum, Mylar, polyethylene, polyvinyl
chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene terephtalate,
polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene, polyimide, polyamide, polysulfone, PAI, PTFE, PEI, PEEK,
PEAK, or polyester to which a buoyant element 232 made from
Ethafoam, cross-linked polyethylene, polyester polyurethane,
Styrofoam SP, Rohacell 51, Conticell, Styrofoam IB, De-Q-cell,
Termanto, Polyfoam Plus, Nomex Aramid Honeycomb, polystyrene foams,
AL foam is attached, e.g., by adhesives or thermo-bonding. The film
230 can be fastened or adhered to a surface proximate to a weep
hole, e.g., like weep hole 46 of FIG. 4, such that the film 230
proximate the buoyant element 232 is disposed over the weep hole
46, occluding it in the dry state. Alternatively, film 230 can be
installed in an orientation with the buoyant element 232 juxtaposed
against the weep hole 46, occluding the weep hole 46 in the dry
state. The thinness and suppleness of film 230 permits the film 230
to bend when the buoyant element 232 floats upon exposure to water,
allowing the water to drain from the weep hole 46 covered by the
flapper valve 228.
[0032] FIGS. 39 and 40 show a flapper valve 234 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the flap portion
236 has an internal hollow 238 sealed by a wall 240. The sealed
internal hollow 238 may contain a gas, such as air or Nitrogen that
serves to reduce the overall specific gravity of the flap portion
236, making it more buoyant when in water. The flap portion 236 is
connected to a non-moving portion 242 by a single plastic hinge
244.
[0033] The above-described embodiments show that that shape of the
flapper valve, e.g., 10, 34, 90, 112, 162, 184 can be varied to
suit the shape of the weep hole, e.g., 12, 46, the material of
composition, and in response to other factors, such as, aesthetics
and mechanical compatibility with/interference with window frame
structures.
[0034] Testing has shown that a flapper valve, such as one
described and illustrated in one of FIGS. 1-40, e.g., flapper
valves, 10, 34, 90, 112, 162, 184, or one of the others disclosed
herein, can substantially improve insulation value, e.g., the
R-value of a window system in which it is used. For example, a
standard Horizontal Sliding window without a flapper valve in
accordance with the present disclosure and having dimensions 79
inches by 99 inches or 54 sq ft. was tested for air leakage through
the window system in accordance with ASTM E283. Testing included
ascertaining a tare value of air flow through the testing system
(at 1.57 PSF and 6.24 PSF (pounds per square foot)) with the window
system sealed by a membrane (polyester sheeting and duct tape).
Having ascertained the tare leakage through the test rig, at 1.57
PSF and 6.24 PSF, the sealing membrane was removed from the window
system (without flapper valve) and the leakage was measured again.
At 1.57 PSF, which is approximately equivalent to a wind of
twenty-five miles per hour, and at 6.24 PSF, which is approximately
equivalent to a wind of fifty miles per hour, the air flow through
the system was measured. The foregoing window system was then
fitted with flapper valves in accordance with the present
disclosure and of the type illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 installed over
the weep holes and retested using the same testing apparatus. It
was found that there was a 64 percent decrease in air flow at 1.57
PSF and an 82 percent decrease in air flow at 6.24 PSF. As can be
appreciated from the foregoing, the presence of flapper valves in
accordance with the present disclosure results in substantially
curtailing air leakage through weep holes/slots in a window system
on which they are installed. The observed curtailment of air
leakage corresponds to an improvement in insulation value.
Additionally, the water performance was not decreased by the
presence of the flapper valves juxtaposed the weep slots.
[0035] It will be understood that the embodiments described herein
are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make
many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, hinges 24, 26
need not be plastic hinges, instead being pivot style hinges. In
this case, the flapper valve could be formed from a more rigid
material, so long as the buoyancy there of lifts the flap portion
18 to allow drainage through the weep hole 12 when the flap portion
18 and/or float portion 20 is partially or fully submerged in
water. While windows have been utilized above in the disclosure of
the present application, the teachings of the present application
could be applied to curtain walls, sliding doors, terrace doors,
storefronts and other types of weather barriers having weep holes.
While several of the flap valves, such as those shown in FIGS. 12
and 24 show stepped internal hollows, smooth hollows and constant
wall thicknesses can be employed. All such variations and
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
present disclosure.
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